I Became The Villain The Hero Is Obsessed With

398 – The Stellar Goddess’ Story

In the all-white space somewhere.

Seated across from the Stellar Goddess, Stardust listened as the goddess revealed the truth of the world.

In the beginning, there were three gods who created this world.

They made the world, and lifeforms called humans in their image.

And so the three gods guided the humans, living peacefully.

The one called the Sun God gave humans special powers to make them strong.

The one called the Moon God taught humans magic to make them wise.

The one called the Stellar Goddess taught humans harmony and coexistence so they could love one another.

And so the golden age ruled by the gods seemed endless.

Until one god’s heart changed.

“The Sun God Helios… suddenly claimed to be bored of humans.”

That they were not entertaining. To destroy them all and use the resources to create a different intelligent species instead.

Naturally, the Stellar Goddess opposed this. How could they so meaninglessly destroy the creations of their own hands?

“And so we kept fighting endlessly… which ultimately led to war.”

Realizing they could not compromise, the two finally clashed in earnest.

The previously neutral Moon God went into hiding.

The fierce battle between the remaining two gods… finally ended in the Stellar Goddess’ victory.

“But… it was a hollow victory.”

With those words, the Stellar Goddess smiled wryly.

While she had succeeded in banishing the Sun God from this dimension… in the process, the Stellar Goddess’ body was also greatly damaged.

To the point she could barely maintain her divine power.

“However… I knew.”

One day, the Sun God would definitely return.

To try and destroy this world again.

And so the weakened Stellar Goddess persevered with her fading divinity, watching over the humans and waiting for that time.

How many millennia passed since then?

With the war’s aftereffects fading along with memories of the gods’ existence in human history, an era of peace arrived in a world without deities.

Until suddenly, the Sun God’s power took root in this world again.

“…What you call superpowers now. That power.”

One of the ancient gifts from the Sun God.

The power of the sun.

That ability suddenly started appearing in people across the world once more.

That power which would throw the world into chaos.

“Then… I realized. Ah, the Sun God is drawing near this world again.”

His influence was manifesting in this world again.

“But to face him again when he returned… I lacked the strength. My very existence had become precarious.”

hehehe.

With those words, the Stellar Goddess smiled weakly.

Painfully for Stardust watching.

“And so… I needed someone to take my place protecting this world.”

“To inherit my weakened divinity, and continue the mission of guarding this world.”

As she spoke, the Stellar Goddess waved her hand.

Above them appeared a sparkling milky way.

Looking up at it, she pointed and continued explaining.

“The divine realm… is strictly separated from the mortal realm. Thus the gods’ ability to interfere here is limited. Though even that much is likely enough to destroy this world.”

“Anyway. I searched the mortal realm for someone to inherit my power and stand against the Sun God.”

As she said this, the Stellar Goddess warmly regarded Stardust.

“With a spirit strong enough to banish evil from the world… an unshakable sense of justice.”

“Righteous, not excessive in punishing evil, kind, resolute.”

“Someone who could become the savior of this world.”

Seeing her speak so compassionately…

Stardust quietly said.

“…That was me, wasn’t it.”

“Yes, that’s right, Haru. You were the rightful successor to save this world.”

“…But I’m not the person you think I am…”

Hearing Stardust’s murmur,

The goddess grasped her hand, smiling as she firmly said.

“No, Haru. I do not make mistakes. You were the most qualified to receive this power.”

…Unable to refute the goddess’ absolute confidence, Stardust fell silent.

Seeing her reaction, the Stellar Goddess smiled.

And continued her story.

“Anyway, that’s why I granted you almost all of my remaining divinity. The only power that can stand against the Sun.”

‘…Please, anyone, even a god… Give me the strength to defeat them.’

“When you were young… after losing your parents to villains, crying as you looked to the night sky and pleaded. I called you here to speak directly and granted it to you.”

‘…Who are you?’

‘Greetings. I am the Stellar Goddess Sīsdus.’

“While you may not remember that day… you have grown into such an amazing woman from that tiny child.”

As she spoke, the Stellar Goddess warmly caressed her hand, smiling.

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“So… my daughter. Haru. I’m afraid this is a difficult request, but I’d like to ask this of you here.”

The God seemed to have finished speaking.

He turned to Stardust with a sincere tone in his voice, and asked:

“Please. In my place, will you stop the Sun God who is trying to destroy this world?”

And to her,

Stardust calmly, but resolutely, answered sincerely:

“Yes.”

“Even if you didn’t ask, that’s my duty of course.”

Stardust responded with steadfast eyes.

Seeing her like this, the God of Stars

“….”

Nodded with a satisfied look.

***

Having heard the secret tale of this world from the God of Stars,

Once again standing in the white space, the God warmly bid Haru farewell.

“Farewell my daughter, Haru. I’m sorry to have asked so much of you.”

“No, these are things I should do.”

“Ho ho… thank you. And, before you go, if you have anything you want to ask, ask it now.”

With the last chance to ask questions before leaving,

Stardust had many questions about the God’s current state, but…

Hesitating, she asked one thing that had been on her mind.

“…Egoistic.”

“Hm?”

“Ah, I mean Egoistic, Dain. I know Dain also received the power of the stars… Earlier you called me the only savior of this world. But isn’t he one too…?”

To Stardust’s question,

The God of Stars smiled faintly and quietly answered.

“I see… he is a savior too.”

…To be precise,

He is the savior of us all.

“Oh… I see?”

Hearing only the first part, the God of Stars just smiled and brushed past it.

“I’ll tell you more about that later. Anyway… Haru.”

“You like him, don’t you?”

The sudden question from the God.

Not expecting this conversation, Stardust blushed in embarrassment.

“Ah, no, it’s not like that… Well, that’s right but…”

Seeing Stardust stammering,

The God, who had a sad smile for a moment,

Soon smiled as if it hadn’t happened, and opened her mouth again.

“Ho ho. I can tell without you saying. Yes. Haru, do as you wish.”

“…Anyway, it’s time for you to go now.”

With those words, the God of Stars came up to Stardust and stroked her head, saying:

“Farewell, my daughter.”

“Please save this world with your power.”

“…Yes.”

Feeling a warmth within her, with a voice full of determination, Stardust answered.

Looking up at the beautiful goddess holding her in her arms, with affectionate eyes the color of blue gems.

In her embrace, Stardust quietly thought:

‘…God of Stars.’

Though our time together was short, and our parting but a moment,

Stardust felt as if she was in a mother’s embrace, reaffirming her own mission.

I must save this world.

That is my fate.

Having realized her identity,

Stardust, filled with her own determination,

Felt her eyes involuntarily closing

In the warm sensation… And quietly steeled her resolve.

Soon.

‘Haru.’

‘…Please, do not fear our parting.’

Hearing the faint voice of the God,

She closed her eyes completely,

And her spirit flew away somewhere.

It was time to return to the reality awaiting her.

***

After sending Stardust away,

Alone in the empty white space,

The God of Stars who had been staring at where she disappeared

Coughed lightly.

“…Cough, cough.”

The yellow stardust stuck to her hand covering her mouth.

“….”

Watching as the stardust in her palm turned black with a wave of her hand and faded away,

The God of Stars murmured sadly,

Recalling her last conversation with her daughter Stardust.

“…I’m sorry, Haru.”

With those words,

She quietly took her leave.

In the place where the God of Stars, Stardust left…

…Only the stardust that did not manage to disappear completely remained quietly on the floor.

***

[Ahhh! No, what do we do. Did the Sun God just kill Haru!?]

“Don’t panic Aisha. There’s no way that happened.”

“…hahahaha. Even Stardust has fallen. We’re all doomed.”

At the Hero Association of South Korea…

After the Sun God’s warning ended, when things were busy around Stardust who had suddenly collapsed,

“Ugh…”

Rustle.

Finally, Stardust opened her eyes.

“Oh! Stardust, you’ve finally opened your eyes!”

[Thank goodness. I was worried, Haruya!]

Hearing the voices around her,

Stardust, waking up and holding her head, looked around and asked:

“…How much time has passed?”

“Not much. You woke up almost right after collapsing.”

Hearing the Chairman’s reply,

Stardust got up and spoke clearly to everyone:

“Then we have no time to waste. It must be chaos outside. Let’s start response protocols immediately.”

And so.

With Stardust’s words, South Korea began mobilizing in earnest.

And they say…

Stardust’s eyes shone brighter than ever before.